Josh Alexander Reveals How He Found Out About NJPW Debut

IMPACT Wrestling

Josh Alexander has revealed how he found out about his upcoming NJPW debut.

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that IMPACT Wrestling’s own Josh Alexander and The Motor City Machine Gunns will challenge Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii and Hiroshi Tanahashi for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Titles on October 9 at Destruction In Ryogoku.

This match will mark Alexander’s first bout in Japan of his 18-year career.

Speaking with Tru Heel Heat Wrestling, the former IMPACT World Champion discussed his NJPW debut and what it means to him. He said:

“I don’t know how I put it into words because I’m so excited. I’m a guy I don’t get super excited with anything especially in wrestling because you always feel you’re gonna get let down somehow.”

“But Japanese wrestling is something I discovered when I was 15 years old. At the same time I discovered TNA/IMPACT Wrestling, Ring of Honor, all these other companies, you know. That’s just when the birth of the internet came in and I discovered all these things. And it blew me away.”

“Just like the focus on the in-ring style and the stuff they were putting on was something that evaded me for nearly 18 years in this business.”

“I’ve never traveled to Japan, so when I finally got to do New Japan STRONG over the last few years, it was always spoken of, ‘oh, we need to get you to Japan.’ And I was just like, ‘you guys just let me know.'”

On how he found out about his NJPW debut, Alexander explained:

“It’s just a waiting game and then finally, I was at, do you guys know what a splash pad is? It’s like an outdoor park where it’s a water park without slides and stuff like that.”

“You can take your kids there on hot days, so they can enjoy themselves in a waiting pool and stuff like that. And I had my sons at the splash pad just hanging out on a sunny summer day and got an email that we need this information from you for this, this and this because you’re coming to New Japan.”

“And I was just like, ‘what?’ Like this came out of nowhere, you just check your email inbox and a few weeks later, the match gets announced. And you’re just like, ‘this is the first match that I get to compete in when I come to Japan, New Japan.'”

“So you know I’m very excited as a pro wrestler, as a wrestling fan because you know I’ve been lucky enough to be in the ring before with one of my favorite Japanese wrestlers, Tomohiro Ishii, but to get in there with, you know, The Ace (Hiroshi Tanahashi) and Okada at the same time, it’s a hell of a way to debut.”

“So I’m gonna make the best of it, show up at New Japan Sumo Hall for my very first show and I intend on making a statement.”

“Do more of what I’ve always done in the past few years and that’s put all eyes on me and all eyes on IMPACT Wrestling.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

Josh Alexander will also challenge Alex Shelley for the IMPACT World Championship on October 21 at IMPACT Bound For Glory.

Want to know more about what goes on outside the ring? WrestleTalk proudly presents Wrestling Unmasked, a new book that explores the untold stories, the politics, and the endless drama that unfolds behind the scenes. It’s time to experience wrestling like never before! Buy your copy here!

• josh alexander
• Debut
• NJPW
• Impact Wrestling

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